Pat Cummins couldn't help but smirk at England's fans who booed him after Australia's controversial victory in the Ashes.

The fifth day of the Second Ashes Test ended in a fiery manner when Jonny Bairstow was controversially run out when he left his crease before the over was called.

3 Bairstow was controversially stumped, leading to a surprisingly fiery atmosphere at Lord's

3 Cummins believes his teammate was well within his rights to get Bairstow out Credit: Getty

Following the final ball of the over, Bairstow made his way to the other end of the wicket to speak to Ben Stokes.

However, the umpires had not actually called it and Australian wicket-keeper Alex Carey seized his opportunity by quickly throwing the ball to send Bairstow's bails flying.

With Australia going on to win the Second Test by 43 runs, the Bairstow incident is certainly the biggest talking point of the day, but while England and their supporters largely feel aggrieved by the lack of sporting integrity involved in the incident, Australia's captain believes that it was fair game.

When asked about the incident post-match, which led to a chorus of boos from the England fans, a smirking Cummins told Sky Sports: "I think Carey saw it happen a few balls previous, there was no pause.

"Catch it and throw at the stumps. I thought it was totally fair play.

"I know some people disagree but it's like the catch yesterday. That's how I saw it."

Unsurprisingly, England captain Ben Stokes took a very different stance, saying: "Would I want to win a game in that matter? I think the answer for me is no.

"There's lots of factors. I would ask the umpires whether they had called over. They made a move towards the end of the over. But at the end of the day it is out.

Pat Cummins said Alex Carey noticed Jonny Bairstow was leaving the crease early and felt the wicket was 'totally fair play'. pic.twitter.com/JywX4XJLnQ — Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 2, 2023

3 Stokes did his best to help England back into the game, but it was too big an ask Credit: AFP

"If the shoe was on the other foot I would have had a think about the whole spirit of the game. But it has happened. It was out. We have to move on."

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